Knitting machine



BQJ. FRANCK. KNITTING MACHINE.

No. 500,121. Patented June 27; 1893.

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KNITTING MACHINE.

No. 500,121. Patented June 27,1893.

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KNITTING MAGHINB.

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No. 500,121. Patented June 27, 1893.

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E. J. FRANCK.4 KNITTING MACHINE.

No. 500,121. Patented June 27,1893.

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EMIL .I. FRANCK, OE PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

KNITTING-MACHINE.-

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 500,121, dated .Tune27, 1893.

Application filed .Iuly 23.1892.

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, EMIL JOHN FRANCK, a citizen of the United States,residing at the city of Philadelphia, in the county of Phila- Y delphiaand State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new anduseful'lmprovements in Knitting-Machines, of which the following is aspeciiication.

My invention relates to knitting machines and more particularly to socalled circular knitting machines of the type commonly employed in themanufacture of hosiery, underwear and other similar articles.

It iswell known that the respective meshes or stitches of a knitted webare formed or fabricated upon a knitting machine by the reciprocation ofa series of needles in the direction of their lengths. Hitherto asuccessive movement of the needles has been attained by the employmentof needle, swing, stitch and other cams. channel through which the bitsor hu bs of the needles were caused to travel either by the movement ofthe support that carried the needles or by the movement of the supportthat carried the cams. In either case the friction between the needlebits or hubs and the channel of the cams tended to cause the needles tobe shifted sidewise. Such sidewise movement of the needles was preventedand the needles were constrained to move in the direction of theirlength bythe presence of rods or bars that constituted the side walls ofthe needle grooves. Howeverin practice this sidewise thrust of theneedles due to the friction that existed between the cams and the needlebits, produced considerable strain and pressure both upon the shanks ofthe needles and upon the bars or rods forming the grooves in which theneedles worked. This strain and pressure caused the shanks of theneedles and thc bars or rods to be rapidly worn, abraded and otherwiseinjured. Such injuries rendered the needle cylinder useless in a veryshort time by causing the needles to work out of alignment, thusproducing or fabricating a more or less defective fabric or web. Inpractice comparatively large or wide bars or rods were employed in orderto withstand the sidewise thrust or strain of the needles due to theacti-on of the cams upon the These cams formed a curvedV Serial No.441.059. (No model.)

needle bits or hubs. Howeveigthe employment of such bars or rodsnecessitated the spacing of the needles atconsiderable distances apart,so that the meshes or stitches of the finished fabric were coarse'orlarge.

The principal objects of rny invention are first, to obviate the abovementioned defects and disadvantages and to provide a knitting machine inwhich the needles are not subjected to a sidewise thrust or strain andconsequen tly may be spaced nearer together than was heretoforepossible; second, to provide simple, efficient and durable means forautomatically throwing certain of the needles out of and into operationat predetermined intervals in order to effect the narrowing, widening orother shaping of the tube, web or fabric; and third, to construct andarrange the parts ot' the machine for operation in suoli manner that theheels of hosiery fabricated thereon are comparatively wide and full.

` In a circular knitting machine embodying features ot' my invention therequired rise and fail of the needles is attained by the axialreciprocation of the respective sections that comprisea sectional needlecylinder. In connection with the sectiona'ineedle cylinder use may bemade of automatic mechanism for throwing one of the sections of theneedle cyl-- needles to or from the continuously operated I section orsections of the needle cylinder in order to effect the requisitewidening, narrowing or other, shaping of the web or fabric.

My invention comprises a knitting machine provided with needles and asectional needle' cylinder for operating said needles.

My invention further comprisesa knitting' machine `provided withneedles, a sectional needle cylinder for operating said needles, f

and devices for throwing one of the sections of the needle cylinder outof action.

My invention further comprises a knitting machine provided with needles,a sectional needle-cylinder for operating said needles, devices fordetachably connecting the needles and cylinder and mechanism forautomatically actuating, reversing and releasing said members to effectthe widening and narrowing of the fabric or web; and my invention IOOfurther comprises the improvements in knitting machines hereinafterdescribed and claimed.

The nature, scope and characteristic features of my invention will bemore fully understood from the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying draw# ings forming part'hereof; and in which-Figure 1, is a side elevation of a knitting machine embodyingr featuresot' my invention. Fig. 2, is an elevation of the right hand end of themachine illustrated yinFig. l, showing the gear wheel in dotted lines inorder to expose certain other of the working parts' to View. Fig. 3, isan elevation of the left hand end of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1.Fig. 4, is a top or plan view of the sinker-head, sinker-bars,thread-carrier, needles and their accessories. .Fig. 5, is asimilar Viewpartly in section showing the sinker-head removed in' order toillustrate the needle cylinder, strippers and their accessories.- Fig. 6is'a diagrammatic view showing the needles de-` tachably connected withthe sectional needle cylinder and divided. into two sets, whereof onehas long and the other short bits or hubs.- Fig. 7, is a verticalsectional view of the front portion of the needle cylinder strippermechanism and sinker-head drawn to an enlarged scale and taken ontheline7-7, of Figs/t and 5. Fig. 8,is a View of a sector of thesinker-head, showing means for adjustingthe throw ofthe sinker-cam. Fig.9, is a vertical sectional view of the right hand portion of the needlecylinder, and sinker-head taken on the line 9-.9, of Figs. 4 and 5, andshowing an instepy needle and a section of the ring for operating astripper. Fig. 10, is a vertical sectiontaken on the line 10-10, of Fig.6 and showing an elevation of one of the detachable needles having shortbits; and Fig. 1l, is a perspective View illustrating diagrammaticallythe manner in which 'the stitches are completed and thrown olf.

In the drawings the standards aandct, tierods a2 and bed-plate a3,constitute the mainframe of the machine. The bed-plate a3, is providedwith a circular depending langeyor rim a4, that snpportsa secondcircular ange or rim a5, disposed concentrically in respect to theflange or rim a4, through the interventionrof a slotted ring or annulusas. The needle cylinder is divided axially into sections;

inthe present instance, into two sections b and b,that are adapted towork upward and downward between the rims or lianges a4 and a5. Inpracticethe needle cylinder is divided by means of a wide saw or othercuttingtool, and thespaces thus formed between `the sec-A tions b andb', are filled up with feathers b2 and b3, dove-tailed or otherwisesecured tothe inner rim or flange 0.5.' These feathers b2 and b, notonly serve as guides for the sections b and b', but also constitute thesidewalls of certain of the needle-{.fl'ooves` that would otherwise beunduly cutaway during the-operation of dividing the needle cylinder.

c, is a circular sinker-bed or frame carried above the bed-plate a3 bymeans of curved posts c', and provided with radial slots c2, in whichthe sinkenbars c3 work.

c, is asinker-gear mounted upon the sinkerbed or frame c, and revolublyconnected therewith by means of a ring c5, engaging the unf' der side ofthe sinker-framecand detachably connected with the sinker-gear c4, bymeans of screws c, The sinker-gear c4, carries a thread carrier c7, andis provided upon its under side with a cam groove a8, that engagesprojections o9, on the sinker-bars c3, and thus causes the sinker-barsto be reciprocated in the direction of their length.

The needles may be provided with latches or spring beards and arecarried by the respective sections ofthe needle-cylinder. The needlesthat-are always in operation are preferably clamped to place, whereasthe fashioning needles, i. e. theA needles that are some 'times thrownont of action, are detachably connectedwith the sectional needlecylinder. Moreover, all the needlesare guided by means of slots a7, cutOrotherwise formed in the Haring or trumpet-shaped upper portion of therim a5, and co-operate with the rim c1, of the sinker-frame that servesas a presser-ring in closing and opening the needles; In the presentinstance the needles d, Fig. 9, are provided .with-hubs d', thatare-inserted into apertures drilled or otherwiseformed in anoff-set'portion b3, of the needle cylinder.

d2 is a curvedsegmental plate or ring secured to `the needle-cylinder bymeans of screws d8, and provided with a corrugated leather coveredfaced, adapted to engage the needles d, and Vclamp the same to place.

The needles d, are always in operation and when worn out or otherwiseinjured may be removed and replaced by new needles by the simpleoperation of removing the curved plate or ring d2.

e, Fig. 7, are'the fashioning needles, that is, the needles whicharesometimes thrown out of action. Thesefashioning needles e are pro'-vided with bits or 'hubs e', and with curved extremities ewhichconstituea spring catch for detachably engagingta curved segmental ringor plate d5, secured to `the needle-cylinder. The needles e,aretmountedin needle grooves e3, cut or `otherwise formed in 'the needle-cylinderand adapted for Atheir reception.

However,if preferred, theneedles of themachine may be detachablyconnected with `the needle-cylinder as showninFigs. 6 and l0.

ICO

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In such case the bits or hubs e4, Figs. 6 and 10, of the heel and instepneedles f and f, are shorter than the bits or hubs of thefashioningneedlesf12 and f3, (thelatterbeingomitted in Fig. 6,) and thering d5, extends around the-respective sections of the needle cylinderinto position for engaging all the needles.

g and g are strippers adapted to be shifted into range ot' the bits orhubs e', of the fashioning needles in order to detach the same from theneedle cylinder, and out of range of the bits or hubs e,in order topermit the fashioning needles to rise and fall with the ncedle-cylinder.

h and h', are carriages provided with peripheral racks h2 and h3, andafforded a range of travel in ways h4, cut or otherwise formed in thetop surface of the bed-plate 0.3.

h5, are screws inserted into the under side of the carriages h and h',and having their shanks adapted to work in curved slots h6, cut orotherwise formed in the bed-plate a3, in order to prevent accidentaldisplacement of the carriagesin an upward direction.

71.7, are dish-shaped spring washers interposed between the heads of thescrews h5, and the under side of the bed-plate 0,3, in order to preventaccidental movement of the carriages h and h.

ILS, is a buffer projectingupward from the bed-plate c3, into positionfor limiting the range of travel of the carriages. rlhe upper faces ofthe carriages h and h', are provided with curved Ways h, in which lipsg2, projecting from the under side of the strippers g and g', areadapted to work.

The strippers g and g', are provided with slots g3, adapted for thereception of spiral springs s, having one of their respective eX-tremities connected with the strippers g and g', by means of screws g4,and having the other of their extremities connected with the carriages hand h', by means of screws hw. These springs s, are retained to place bycover plates g5, and afford means for permitting the carriages h and h',to advance for a short distance, while the strippers g and g', remain atrest. This is important because it sometimes happens that the stripperscollide with the side portion of a fashioning needle bit or hub byreason of the improper'timing of the operations of the machine. In suchcase the spring s, yields and the stripper remains at rest while thecarriage is advanced, so that the fashioning needle bit or hub is notbroken, bent or otherwise injured. Subsequently the needle bit isremoved out of range o f the stripper by the further operation of themachine, whereupon the spring s, causes the stripper to be again shiftedin `position for passing over and holding down the bits or hubs of thesucceeding fashioning needles.

In fabricating a circular web or tube, the sections b and b', of theneedle-cylinder, are alternately lifted anddepressed, and the threadcarrier c7, and sinker-cam c", are revolved continuouslyin one directionthrough the intervention of suitable mechanism, a preferred form ofwhich will be hereinafter described. These movements are timed in suchmanner that as the thread carrier approaches the outside needle of thesection b, the same is elevated into position for permitting the yarn orlthread to be laid under the spring beard of said needle, as shown at B.The sinker-bar corresponding to said needle is drawn outward from thecenter of the needle cylinder during the insertion of the thread or yarnbeneath the spring beard thereof, as shown at B', and is subsequentlythrust forward toward the center of the cylinder, as shown at B and B2,and thus engages the yarn orthread and pushes the same inward past theneedle to form the stitch, it being understood that the sinker bar holdsthe thread or yarn in such position while the thread is being laid ontothe rest of the needles that are carried by the section b. As the threadcarrier approaches the center needles of the section b, as shown'at B',the latter is constantly being elevated, the thread is being insertedbeneath the spring beards of the needles, and

the sinker bars appertaining to the needles are projected forward towardthe center of the needle cylinder one after another and as soon as thethread has been laid onto the needles t'o which they appertain. Afterthe thread carrier passes the center of the section b, and while it isapproaching the opposite extremity thereof, the section b, is beingdepressed as shown at B3. During the depression of the section b, thethread is laid onto the remaining needles thereof and is pushed inwardtoward the center of the cylinder and held in such position, by means ofthe sinker IOO bars, as shown at B2, which for this purpose,

are successively operated in the manner hereinabove described. Thethread calrier and sinker bars then lay the thread or yarn onto theneedles of the section Z9', in precisely the manner above described withreference to the section b. While the thread or yarn is being iro laidonto the needles of the section b, the section b', is depressed with theresult that the spring beards of the needles carried thereby are closedby contacting with the periphery of the rim cw, of the sinker-bed c, asshown at B3, in precisely the same manner as they would be closed by apresser ring, so that the thread is drawn by means of the closed beardsover the lingers as, and through the loops of the previously formedcourse of stitches of the web as shown at B4, and these loops escapeover the closed spring beards as at B5. The repitition of the abovedescribed operations results in the production of a knitted tube, whichis held downv by means of fingers as, and which is fed away from themachine through the interior of the needle cylinder. The size of thestitches or meshes of this web may be increased or diminished byadjusting the throw of the sinker-bars c3. This result is attained bymaking the operative portion c, of the sinker-cam c3, adjustableradiallyin respect to the center of the sinker-gear c4. For this purposethe portion cl2, of the gear that carries the operative part c, of thesinker-cam e8, is made separate and is afforded a range of movement in aslot cl3, cut` is maintained in proper position in respect ative portionc11 thereof, are slightly expanded to the operative portion cl2, of thesinker-cam. The portions of the sinker-cam cs, that are contiguous tothe open extremities of the operas at o16, in order to avoid thepresentation of sharp corners and insure the free passage of theprojections of the sinker-bars c3, through the groove of the sinker-cam.

In knitting av flat web, one section b,of the needle-cylinder ispermitted to rise and fall and the other section Z), is thrown out ofaction. The sinker-gear c4, is then caused to oscillate first in onedirection and then in the other, in order to cause the thread-carrierc7,

to present the thread backward and forward to the needles of the sectionb', and also to cause the sinker-bars c3, to properly press the threadunder the springbeards of the same. The fiat web may be narrowed byshifting the strippers g and g, toward the left in Fig. 5, into positionfor passing above the hubs or bits e', of the needles e, as shown inFig. 7, so that when the section b', rises such needles are preventedfrom rising with it, and are consequently held out of action. Thestrippers g and g', may be gradually shifted toward the left with anvintermittent 1notion,in which case the web is graduallynarrowed. Theweb may be widened out again to its full for normal width by shiftingthe strippers g and g', toward the right in Fig. 5, thus releasing thebits or hubs e', of the needles and permitting the curved portions e2thereof, to engage the ring d5, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 7,whereby the needles are permitted to rise and fall with the section b.

The machine illustrated in the drawings is especially arranged for theproduction of hosiery and is provided with seventy-two needles,\whereofthirty comprise the instep neef dlesf, twelve the heel needles f', andfifteen each of the sets f2 and f3, of fashioning needles, so thatforty-two needles are available for fabricating the heel portions of thehos iery, whereby the formation of full and wideheel portions isinsured.

The sections b and b,of the needle cylinder, the sinker-gear c, andcarriages h and h', may be automatically operated and controlledinsubstantially the manner above pointed out by means of various types ofmechanism. However, a description will now be given of onetype ofmechanism that has been found practically efficient for such purposes.

"i and t', are positively driven pulleys,

whereofone t', is of larger diameter than the other fi', in order toimpart two different rates of speed to the machine. The pulley t',serves to drive the machine at a comparatively yhigh rate of speedduring the formation of a tubular web, and the pulley t', serves todrive the machine at a comparatively slow rate of speed during theoperations of widening and narrowing a fiat web.

j, is the main driving shaft of the machine and is revolublysupported inbeariiigs 7",car ried by the standards a. and a. This shaft j, isprovided with one tight pulley j?, and with two loose pulleysjs and j.

t2, is a belt appertainin g to the pulley t', and adapted to-normallyride on the loose pulley js. This belt t2, may be shifted onto the tightpulleyjz, and in such case serves to drive the main shaft j, at acomparatively high rate of speed. It may be remarked that the pulley z',is provided with a flange 113, that serves to prevent the belt fromrunning otf the same when it is in engagement with the tight pulley j2.

it, is a belt appertaining to the pulley 1f', and adapted to normallyride on the loose pulley f4. This belt 4, may be 'shifted onto.

the tight pulley jz, and in such case servesto IOO drive the main shaftj, at a comparatively low rate of speed.

k, is a counter-shaft revolublysufpported in bearings 7c', carried bythe standarda, `and by a bracket k2, depending from the rirn or flangea4, of the bed-plate a3. This countershaft 7a, carries a gear-wheel 7c3,that meshes with and drives the sinker-gear c4. It has been stated thatwhen both the sections b and b', of the needle-cylinder are inoperation, the sinker-gear c4, makes complete revolutions and that whenonlythe section b', is in operation the sinker-gear c4, is reeiprocatedbackward and forward. These resultsiare accomplished by means of thefollowing parts:

Z, is an eccentric keyed or otherwise secured to the main shaftj.

Z,is a socket pivotallyattached to a lug Z2, that is connected with thesection b', and

adapted to work in' a suitable slot cutvor otherwise formed in the ringa6.

Z3, is an eccentric socket Z4.

Z5is a link having its respective extremities provided with threads ofopposite pitch adapted to engage corresponding threads in the sockets Zand Z4,lso, that the section b', of the cylinder may be `adjusted upwardor downward by the simple operation of turning the link Z5, in onedirection or the other asr may be required.

Z, is a jam-nutfor lockingthe link Z5, to

lplace in its socket:

`strap provided with al ITO The eccentric 7, serves to continuously littand depressthe section b', of the needle-cylinder, which is advantageousbecause some of the needles of the section b', are in operation duringthe formation of a tube and also of a shaped flat web.

m, is a sleeve revolubly mounted upon the main shaft j, and providedwith a sprocketwheel m', and an eccentric m2. The eccentric m2, actuatesthe section b, of the needlecylinder through the instrumentality of anadj ustable link and its accessories which are exactly similar to thelink and accessories of the eccentric 7, and which are consequentlydesignated by the same reference letters.

7a4, is a sprocket wheel revolubly mounted on the counter-shaft 7c.

m5, is a sprocket-chain engaging the sprocket-wheels 7a4 and m.

n and n', are friction-clutches respectively splined to the shafts 7'and 7c and adapted to engage the sleeve m, and sprocket-wheel 7a4,

in order to cause the rotary motion of the shaftj, to impart areciprocating movement to the section b, of the needlc-cylinder and arotary motion to the counter-shaft 7c. The rotation of the counter-shaft7o, causes the gear 7c3, to drive the sinker-gear c4, and with it thethread-carrier ci, around the needles of the machine, with the resultthat a knitted tube is produced in the manner hereinabove indicated. l

0, is a sleeve revolubly mounted upon the shaftj, and provided with aneccentric o and a tappet-arm 02.

705, is a pinion revolubly mounted upon the shaft 7a, and provided withcircular side plates or fianges 76".

o3, is an arm connected at one extremity thereof by means of a strap o4,with the eccentric 0, and provided at the other extremity with a sloto5, for the reception of the pinion 765.

06, is a rack cut or otherwise formed upon one of the interior walls ofthe slot 05, and

, adapted to mesh with the pinion 7c5.

07, are lips adapted to ride on the circular side plates or anges 7a, inorder to guide the upper end of the arm 03, and to insure the properclearance between the teeth of the rack 05, and of the pinion 705.

p, is a ring aiorded a range of reciprocating motion in suitable waysp', cut or otherwise formed upon the upper surface of the bed-plate a3.

p2, are screws connected with the bed-plate a5, and workingin slotspinthe ring p,in order to prevent the same from being accidentallylifted upward.

p4 and p5, are pawls pi votally connected with the under side of thering p, and adapted to work in slots p5, cut or otherwise formed fortheir reception in the bed-plate a3. 'lhe pawls J4 and 95, are rovidedres ectivel with two 1 P D y teeth p7 and p8, adapted to mesh with theteeth of the peripheral racks of the carriages 7L and 7i', so that whenthe ring p, is reciprocated backward andforward,theteeth p7 may serve toshift the carriages 7L and 71,', toward the left in Fig. 5, and theteeth p8, may serve to shift the carriages 7L and 7L', toward the rightin said figure.

q, is a tappet-rod centrally pivoted to the right hand standard a', andhaving one eX- tremity thereof bifurcated and provided with rollersdisposed in range of the tappet-arm vo2,

and having the other extremity thereof l0- c`ated between pins p9,projecting radially from the periph ery of the ring p.

Vhen the clutches n and n are shifted into engagement with the sleeve 0,and pinion 755, the sleeve m, and sprocket Wheel 7a4, are thrown out ofaction, and the rotary motion of the shaft j, causes the rock-shaft 7c,to be oscillated first in one direction and then in the other throughthe intervention of the arm o3, and its accessories, and also causes thering` p, to be oscillated backward and forward through the interventionof the tappet-rod q. It is to be understood that the section b, of theneedle-cylinder is thrown out of action by the release of the sleeve m.Under these circumstances the section b', of the needlecylinder, isimpelled upward and downward; I

the sin ker-gear c4, and thread-carrier c7, are oscillated backward andforward, and the ring p, and pawlsp1 and p5, are also oscillatedbackward and -forward, and these movements of the above mentioned partsare adapted to effect the production of a dat knitted web. This web maybe narrowed by turning the pawls p4 and p5, into position for permittingthe teeth p7, to drive the carriages 7L and 7L', toward the left in Fig.5, whereby the strippers g and g', are caused to engage the bits or hubsof the groups f2 and f3, of the fashioning needles and thus throw thelatter out of action. These fashioning needles may be IOO again throwninto action in order to permit of the widening-of the web by shiftingthe pawls p4 and p5, into position for permitting the teeth p8, to drivethe carriages 7L and h', and strippers g and g', in a reverse direction,t'. e. toward the right in Fi'g. 5. The position of the pawls p4 and p5,is controlled by means of arms r and fr', carried by a frame-work r2,afforded a range of sliding movement in suitable bearings r3, carried bythe under surface and edges of the bed-plate a5. The position of theclutches n and n', frame-work r2, and belts '2 and t4, and consequentlythe speed of the machine and character of the resultant product areautomatically controlled through the instrumentality of suitablemechanism,v

IIO

of their extremities adapted respectively to simultaneously shifttheclutches n and n in theA same direction.

t2, is a belt shipper carried by the other end of the rod t, and adaptedto bring the belts 2 and 114 successively into engagement with thetight-pulleyj2. When the rod t, is shifted toward the right in Fig. l,the belt i2drives the shaft j, at a comparatively high rate of speed,`and the shaft j, operates the sectionsb and b', of the needle-cylinder,and the sinker-gear c4,

" in such manner that a tube is rapidly knit'.

When the rod t, is shifted toward theleft, the belt t4, drives theshaftj, at a comparatively low rate of speed and the shaft j, operatesthe section b', of the needle cylinder, reciprocates the sinker-gear c4and its accessories, and causes the strippers g and g', to throwfashioning needles into or out of operation, with the result that a Hatweb is fabricated and shaped. It may be remarked that the belts i? andt, are both brought onto the loose pulleys before either of them can bebrought into engagement with-the tight pulleys jg, whereby undue shocksand jars that might arise from a sudden reversal of the direction ofmotion of the countershaft k, and parts connected therewith, areavoided;

iv, is a pattern-chain feed-wheel revolubly mounted upon a stud u,carried by the lefthand standard a, in Fig. 1.

n2, is a dish-shaped spring washer for preventing retrograde mot-ion ofthe patternchain wheel v. A

v3, is a spring controlled pawl actuated by an eccentric n4, keyed tothe shaft j, and adapted to rotate the pattern-chain feedwheel with apositive continuous motion.

tu, is a ratchet-wheel revolubly'mounted p upon the stud c.

w', is a spring controlled pawl adapted to mesh with the teeth of theratchet-wheel w, and to work in peripheral Vrecesses uiz'therein,

so that the ratchet-wheel w, is driven forward by the pawl w', until thelatter falls' into one'v of the recesses @02, whereupon the ratchet-Wheel comes to rest.

fr, is a pattern-chain carried by a suitable drum connected with thefeed-wheel n, and provided with sidewise projecting pins fr', adapted t9contact with suitable projections w3, on the inner face of theratchet-wheel w, in order to rotate the latter and thus bring the pawlw', out of the recesses into engagement 4with the teeth of theratchet-wheel, so

. that the ratchet-wheel w, is advanced for a certain distance, thenpermitted to come t rest, and then advanced again.

w, are wedge-shaped pieces projecting from the respective faces of theratchet-wheel w, into range of pins r4, depending from the frame-workr2. These Wedge-shaped pieces 104, by contacting with one or the otherof the the pins r4, serve to shift the frame-Work r2, and with it theforks r and 7", in one direction or the other, thus causing the pawls p4tality of a cam-lever Le', pivotally connected.

with a bracket e', carried by the standard a, of the machine andconnected with the rod t, by a slotted connection t3.

Inaslnuch as substantially all of the working parts are located betweenthe standards a and a. it follows that the machine presents anexceedingly neat and compact appearance.

For `the sake of a further explanation of my invention, a descriptionwill now be given of the mode of operation of the hereinabove describedmachine in the production of hosiery, but it must be borne in mind thata machine embodying features ot' the invention may be advantageouslyemployed in the production of vother articles.

The leg or tubular portion of the stocking is produced by the alternateelevation and depression of the sections b and b', of the needlecylinder in connectionwith the revolution of the sinker-gear and itsaccessories. During this operation the machine 'is driven at acomparatively high rate of speed by means of the belt t2, and itscomplemental pulleys. Itis to be understood that the ratchet-wheel w,and ring p, are, at .rest and that the pattern chain'feed wheel v, is inmotion. Upon the completion of the leg portion of the stocking, thepattern-chain w, advances the ratchet. wheel w, intogear with the pawlw', whereby the ratchet-wheel w, is continuously advanced. This motionof the ratchet-wheel w, and cam y, causes the rod t, to be shiftedtoward the left in Fig. 1, with the-following results'z.-The belt i2, isshifted onto the loose pulley ja, and the belt i, is shifted onto thetight-pulley j2, the sprocket-chain m8, and section b, of theneedle-cylinder are thrown out of action, and the ring p, andsinker-gear c",

are oscillated backward and forward. Under IOO IIO

`these circumstances a flatweb destined to constitute the heel portionlof the stocking is formed. During `the formation of the heel portion ofthe stockinggone of the wedgeshaped pieces wt, on the outer face of theratchet-wheel w, collides with its corresponding pin r4, arid thusserves to shift theframework r2, toward the left in Figs. 1 and 5,whereby the teeth p7, are brought into position for driving thecarriages h and h', andstrippers g and g, alternately toward theleft inFig. 5,

whereby a fashioning needle appertaining tol the groupf2, is thrown outof action, then a fashioning needle appertaining to the group f3, and soon, first throwing out a fashioning needle on one side and then on theother at the formationof each course of` stitches, until only the heelneedles f', remain in action. The continued revolution` of theratchetwheel w, causes a wedge-shaped piece w, on the inside" f acethereof toshift the frame-work fr?, toward the right in Fig. 5, wherebythe pawls p4 and p5, are brought'into position for permitting the teethp8, to drive the carriages h and h', and strippers g and g', toward theright in Fig. 5, thus causing the fashioning needles to be releasedsingly and successively, irst on one side and then on the other at eachcourse or row of stitches, until the web is brought out to its fullwidth. The rod t, is then shifted toward the left in Fig. l, and thepawl w', works in another one of the peripheral recesses of the wheel w,so that the tubular foot portion of the stocking is formed insubstantially the same manner as the leg portion thereof. The toeportion of the stocking is then formed on the needles of lthe sectionb', of the needle-cylinder, which for this purpose is permitted tooperate byitself, the section b, of the needle-cylinder being thrown outof action by the revolution of the wheel tu, and in substantially themanner hereinabove set forth in connection with the production of theheel portion. The stocking may then be removed and finished for use inany pre'- ferred manner.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the'art to which my inventionrelates that modifications may be made in details of construction andarrangelnent without departing from the spirit thereof. Hence myinvention is not limited to the exact construction and arrangement ofparts hereinabove set forth and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings; but

Having thus described the nature and 0bjects of myinvention, what Iclaim as new, and desire to secure by LettersPatent, is-

1. In a knitting machine, needles, and a sectional needle cylinder foroperating said needles, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. A knitting machine provided with needles, a sectional needle cylinderfor operating said needles, and means for reciprocatingthe sections ofsaid cylinder,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. A knitting machine provided with needles, a sectional needle cylinderfor operating said needles, and positively driven eccentrics andlink-work interposed between said eccentrics and the sections of thecylinder, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4t. A knitting machine provided with needles, a sectional needlecylinder for operating said needles, a positively driven shaft, andmeans interposed between the shaft and sections of the cylinderl forreciprocating the latter, substantially as and for the purposes setforth.

5. Ina knitting machine, needles, two concentric rims forming ways, asectional needle cylinder workin g in said ways, and means for actuatingthe sections of the needle cylinder, substantially as and for thepurposes set forth.

6. In a knitting machine, needles, two concentric rims forming ways,feathers projecting from one of said'rims, a sectional needle cylinderVworking in said ways and between said feathers, and means for actuatingthe sections of the needle cylinder, substantially as and for thepurposes set forth.

7. In a knitting machine, an exterior rim,

.an interior rim provided with guide slots, a

sectional needle cylinder intermediate of said rims, means forreciprocating the sections of the needle cylinder, and needles carriedby said sections and working` in the guide slots of the interior rim,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

S. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles, asectional ring for engaging said needles, and means for reciprocatingthe complemental sections of the cylinder and ring, substantially as andfor the purposes set forth. A

S). In a knitting machine,a sectional needle cylinderand its complemental actuating mechanism, needles carried by the respectivesections of the cylinder, sinkers', and a cam provided with anadjustable section for increasing or diminishing the throw of thesinkers, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

lO. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder and itscomplemental actuating mechanism, needles carried by the respectivesections of the cylinder, sinkers, and means for actuating the sinkers,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

11. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder and itscomplemental actuating mechanism, spring-beard needles carried by therespective sections of said cylinder, a sinker bed'provided with a lipadapted to serve as a presser ring for said needles, sinkers-and meansfor actuating said sinkers, substantially as and for the purposes setforth.

12. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder and itscomplemental actuating mechanism, spring-heard needles carried by therespective sections of said cylinder and a bed provided with a lipadapted to serve as a presser ring for said needles, substantially asand for the purposes set forth.

13. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles providedwith spring catches for engaging the needle cylinder, and means foractuating the sections o f t-he nee dle cylinder, substantially as and.for the purposes set forth. Y 14. In a knitting machine, a sectionalneedle cylinder, means for alternately reciprocating the sections ofsaid cylinder, a set of needles carried by each of the sections of theneedle cylinder, and a thread carrier adapted to co-operate with eachset of needles, substantiallyas and for the purposes set forth.

15. A knitting machine comprising a sectional needle cylinder, means forlifting and depressing the sections of said cylinder, needles, athread-carrier, sinkers, and means for actuating said sinkers andthread-carrier, sub- 'stantially as and for the purposes set forth.

16. A knitting machine comprising concentric rims, a sectional needlecylinder intermediate of said rims, means for lifting and de- IOO IIO

pressing the sections of said cylinder, springbeard needles, a thread-carrier, a presser, sinkcrs, and means-for actuating said sinkers andthread-carrier, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

17. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means foractuating the sections of said cylinder, a sectional lring carried bythe needle cylinder, and needles respectively provided with bits andcurved extremities for engaging said ring, substantially' as and for thepurposes set forth.

1S. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needlesdetachably applied to the sections of said cylinder, and means forlifting and depressing said seetions,substan tially as and for thepurposes set forth.

19. In a knitting machine, needles provided with bitsor hubs, asectional needle cylinder provided with apertures for the reception ofneedle bits or hubs, a ring for clamping the needles to place, and meansfor lifting and depressing said sections, substantially as and for thepurposes set forth.

20. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder provided withapertures for the reception of needle bits or hubs, a ring provided witha corrugated leather covered face for clamping said needles, andmeansfor lifting and depressing said sections, substantially as and for thepurposes set forth.

21. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles carriedby the respective sections of said cylinder, mechanism for actuating thesections of the cylinder, and means for throwing the actuating mechanismof one of said sections out of action, substantially as and for thepurposes set forth.

22. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles carriedby the respective sections of said cylinder, a thread-carrier, devicesfor rotating and reciprocating said thread carrier, mechanism foractuating the sections of the cylinder,and means for throwing theactuating mechanism of one of the sections out of .action and forreversingthe direction of motion of the thread-carrier, substantially asand for the purposesset forth.

23. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles carriedby the respective sections of said cylinder, mechanism foractuating thesections of the cylinder, means for throwing oneof said sectionsout ofaction, a revoluble sinker-head provided with sinkers and athread-carrier, and means for rotating and oscillating said sinkenhead,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

24. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles, apositively driven shaft link-lnotions interposed between said shaft andthe respective sections of the cylinder, and means for throwing thelink-motion appertaining to one of said sections out of action,substantially as and for the purposes set forth. f

.25. In a knitting machine, a sectional needlecylinder,needles,apositivelydriven shaft,

an eccentric keyed to said shaft andadapted to operate one section ofsaid cylinder, an eocentric loose on said shaft and adapted to operatethe other section of said cylinder, and a clutch for connecting anddisconnecting said loose eccentric and shaft, substant iall y as and forthe purposes set forth.

2U. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles, a mainshaft, link motions interposed between the shaft and the respectivesections of the cylinder, means for throwing one of the link-motions outof action, high and low speed power appliances, and a shipper forcontrolling the power appliances and actuating the means for throwingAthe last-mentioned link-motion out of action, substantially as andforthe purposes set forth.

27. In a knitting machine,a sectional needle cylinder, needles, a mainshaft, link-motions interposed between said shaft and the respectivesections of the cylinder, means for throwing the link-motionappertainingto one 'of said sections out of action, and power appliancesfor driving said shaft at high and low rates of speed, substantially asand for the purposes set forth.

28. In a knitting machine, a sectional necdle cylinder, needles, a mainshaft, link-work interposed between the sections of the cylinder andmain shaft, one tight and two loose pulleys on said shaft, high and lowspeed belts and their colnplemental driving pulleys,

and a shipper for shifting said belts `and throwing the link-workappertaining to one IOO of the sections of the needle cylinder out of iaction, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

29. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles, amain-shaft, link-work interposed between the sections of the cylinderand main-shaft, one tight and two` loose pulleys on said shaft, high andlow speed belts and their complemental driving pulleys,

ITO

a shipper for shifting said belts and throw-V l IZO 3l. In aknittingmachine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles,a positivelydriven shaft,eccentrics on said shaft, links interposed between the eccentrics andthe sections of the needle cylinder, ,and a4 clutch for throwing `one ofsaid eccentrics outof action, substantially as and forthe purposes setforth. A,

32. InI a knitting machine, a sectionalincedle cylinder, needles, apositively'drivenshaft, actuating mechanism interposed between saidshaft and the respective sections of the needle cylinder, a clutch forthrowing the actuating mechanism of one of the sections of the cylinderout of gear, a shipper for shifting said clutch, a cam-wheel foractuating said shipper, and mechanism interposed between said shaft andcam-wheel for intermittently rotating the latter, substantially as andfor the purposes set forth.

33.' In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, needles, apositively driven shaft, actuating mechanism interposed between saidshaft :and `the respective sections lof the needle cylinder, a shipperfor throwing the actuating mechanism of one of the sections of thecylinder out of gear, a cam-wheel for actuating said shipper, andmechanism interposed between said shaft and cam-wheel for intermittentlyrotating the latter, substantially as and` for the purposes set forth.

34. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle-cylinder, needles, apositivelydriven shaft, actuating mechanism interposed between saidshaft and the respective sections of the needle-cylinder, a clutchforthrowing the actuating mechanism of one of the sections of the cylinderout of gear,'a vshipper for shifting said clutch, a ratchet-wheelprovided with a cam for operating said shipper, a pawl driven by saidshaft and adapted to mesh with the teeth of said ratchet-wheel and towork in peripheral recesses therein and a pattern-chain and itscomplemental feed mechanism for intermittently shifting theratchet-wheel to bring said pawl into engagement with the teeth thereof,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

35. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle-cylinder, needles, apositively driven main shaft, actuating mechanism interposed between thesections of the cylinder and said main-shaft, a shipper for throwing theactuating mechanism appertaining to one of the sections out of gear, aratchet-wheel provided with a cam for operating said shipper, a pawlactuated bythe main shaft and adapted to mesh with the teeth of saidratchet-wheel and to work in peripheral recesses, and a patternchain andits complemental feed mechanism for intermittently rotating saidratchet-wheel to cause the engagement of said pawl with the teeththereof, substantiallyy as and forthe purposes set forth.

36. In a knitting machine, a-sectional needle cylinder and itscomplemental operating mechanism, needles tending to engage the needlecylinder, and means for preventing the engagement of certain of'saidneedles, substantially as and for the purposes set forth;

37. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, mechanism foroperating the sections of said cylinder, devices for throwing one ofsaid sections out of operation, needles tending to engage the needlecylinder, and means for preventing the engagement of certain of saidneedles, substantially as and for the purposes .set forth. n

38. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder,- mechanismforcontinuousl-yoperating one of the sections of said cylinder and forintermittently operating theother section thereof, fashioning needlesdet-achably connected with the continuously operated section, needlesapplied to the other section, and means for engaging and releasing thefashioning needles toI throw the same into and out of action,substantially as and for the purposesv set forth.

39. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means forcontinuously operating a certain section of said cylinder, fashioningneedles-tending to engage portions of 'the continuously operatedsection, needles intermediate ofthe fashioning needles, and meansforrestraining and releasing the fashioning needles, substantially as andfor the purposes set forth.

4L). In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, mechanismforoperatingth'e sections of said cylinder, needles tending to engagesaid sections, and a stripper for engaging the bits or hubs of certainof said needles, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

41. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, mechanism foroperating the sections of said cylinder, two sets -of needles normallycarried by said sections and provided respectively with long and shortbits or hubs, and a stripper for engaging the long bits or hubs,substantially as and for the-purposes set forth.

42. In a knitting machine,a sectional needle cylinder, means foroperating the sections of said cylinder, fashioning needles having`spring-catches forvengaging the needle-cylinder, and a stripper forengaging and re.- leasing the fashioning needles, substantially as andfor the purposes set forth. Y

43. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder,means forcontinuously operating one of the sections of 4said, needle cylinder, athread-carrier and mechanism for reciprocating the thread-.carrier inrespect to the needles of the continuously operated section,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

44. In a knitting machine, needles,a sec-- TOO IIO

tional needle cylinder, means for continuously operating one of thesections of said cylinder, a thread-carrier, a counter-shaft, mitergearing interposed between the counter-shaft and th read-carrier, andmeans for reciprocating saidcounter-shaft, substantially as and for thepurposes set forth.

45. In a knitting machine, needles, a sectional needle cylinder, meansfor continuously operating one of the sections of said cylinder, athread-carrier, a counter-shaft, miter gearing interposed between thecounter shaft and threadcarrier, a positively driven shaft, sprocketgearing interposed between said shafts, an arm provided with a rack andoscillated by the positively driven shaft, a pinion on the counter-shaftengaging said arm, and means for throwing the sprocket-gearing and armout of and into action, substantially as and for the purposes setforth.,

46. In a knitting machine, needles, a sectional needle cylinder, meansfor continuously operating one of the sections of said cylinder,

a sinker-head and its accessories, a counter-l` shaft, gearinginterposed between the counter-shaft and sinker head, a positivelydriven shaft, an arm oscillated by the positively driven shaft andprovided with a rack and cheeks, and a pinion on the counter-shaftprovided with flanges and engaging said arm, substantially as and forthe purposes set forth.

47. In aknitting machine, needles, a sectional needle cylinder, meansfor continuously operating one of the 'sections of the cylinder, asinker-head and its complemental sinkers, a thread-carrier applied tothe sinker-head, and mechanism for reciprocating the sinkerhead inrespect to the needles of the continuously operated section,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

48. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle-cylinder, means forcontinuously operating one of the sections of said cylinder, needles, athread-carrier, a counter-shaft andA its complemental gearing foractuatingthe th read-carrier, a positively driven main-shaft, two setsof connections interposed between the positively driven main-shaft andcountershaft and respectively adapted to rotate and oscillate thecounter-shaft,-clutches 'for controlling said sets of connections, ashipper and link-work for operating said clutches, aratchet-wheelprovided with a cam for ,actuating theshipper, and means connected withthe main-shaft -for intermittently rotating said ratchet-wheel,substantiallyas and for the purposes set forth. I

49. In a knitting machine, needles, means .for operating said needles, athread-carrier, a counter-shaft and its complemental gearing foractuat-ing the thread-carrier, a positively driven main-shaft, two setsof connections interposed between the positively driven and countershafts and respectively'adapted to rotate and to oscillate thecounter-shaft, clutches for controlling said sets of connections, aship-` per and link-work for operating said clutches,

" a ratchet-wheel provided with a cam forfactu:

ating the link-work, and means connected with the main-shaft forintermittently rotating said ratchet-wheel, substantially as and vforthe purposes set forth..

50. In aknitting machine, needles, means for operating said needles, athread-carrier@` positively driven shaft, two sets ofconnections'actuated by said shaft and adapted` re spectively to rotateand oscillate said threadcarrier, clutches for controlling said sets ofconnections, link work for operatingl the clutches, a ratchet-wheelprovided witha cam for, actuating said link-work, a pawl actuatedkbysaid shaft and adapted to engagethe teeth of saidratchet-wheel and towork in recesses `between said teeth, a pattern-chain for intermittentlyrotating said ratchet-wheel, and continuous feed mechanism for saidpatternchain, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

51. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle-cylinder, means forcontinuously operating one of the sections of said cylinder, nee

dles, a thread-carrier, a counter-shaft and its complemental gears foractuating the threadcarrier, a positively driven main shaft, two sets ofconnections interposed between the positively drivenand counter shaftsand respectivelyv adapted to rotate and oscillate the counter-shaft,clutches for controlling said sets of connections, link-work forAoperating said clutches, a ratchet-wheel provided with` late saidthread-carrier, clutches for controlling said sets of connections,link-work for operating said clutches, a ratchet-wh eel for actuatingsaid ;link-work, a pawl actuated by said shaft and adapted to engage theteeth'of said ratchet-wheel andto work in recesses between said teeth, apattern chain for intermittently rotating said ratchet-wheel, andcontinuous feed mechanism for said patternchainsub stantially as and forthe purposes set forth.

53; In a knitting machine, needles, a sectional needle cylinder, a sinker-head provided with a thread-carrier, a counter-shaft and com- ICOIKO

plemental gearing'for actuating the sinkerhead, a driving shaft,eccentrics and links interposed between the driving shaft and thesections of the needle cylinder, sprocket and rack gearing interposedbetween the driving and countershafts, clutches for throwing thesprocketand rack gearing and one of the eccentrics .out of and intoaction, link-work for shifting said clutches, a ratchet-wheel foroperat-ing said link-work, and mechanism oper` ated by the driving shaftand adapted to intermittently rotate 'the t ratchet-wheel, ,sub-

stantially as and'for the purposes set forth. 54. In a knitting machine,needles, aseotional needle cylinder, a sinker-head provided withathread-carrier, acounter-shaft and complemental gearing forA actuatingthe sinkerhead, a driving-shaft, eccentrics and links interposed betweenthe driving shaft and the sections of the needle cylinder, sprocket andrack gearing interposed between the driving and counter shafts, clutchesfor throwing the sprocket and rack gearing and one of the ec-V centricsontof and into action, link work for' shifting said clutches, aratchet-wheel for operating said link-work, a pawl actuated by themain-shaft and adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet-wheel and towork in pecylinder, fashioning needles detachably con- V nected withlthe continuously operated sec tion, segmental strippers adapted toengage said fashioning needles, and pawl-and-ratchet connectionsactuated by the main-shaft and adapted to shift said strippers,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

56. In a knitting machine, "a sectional needle cylinder, means forcontinuously elevating and depressing one of the sections of saidcylinder, fashioning needles detachably connected with 'the continuouslyoperated section, strippers adapted to engage said fashioning needles,and means actuated from the main shaft and adapted to shift said strip-`pers, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. 1

57. `In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means forcontinuously elevating and depressing one of the sections of saidcylinder, fashioning needles detachably connected with the continuouslyoperated section, strippers, carriages, resilient connections betweenthe carriages and strippers, and

means for shifting the carriages, substantially as and for the purposesset forth.

58. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder,'means forcontinuously elevating and depressing one of the sections of saidcylinder, fashioning needles detachably connected with the continuouslyoperated section, carriages, strippers provided with slots, springs insaid slots and connected with the strippers and carriages, and means forshifting the carriages, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

ing the sections of said cylinder, a thread carrier, a sinker head andits accessories, a rim disposed within the needle cylinder and providedat the top with notches for guiding the needles and with web holdingfingers intermediate of the notches, substantially as and for thepurposes set forth.

60; In a knitting machine, a bed-plate, a sectional needle cylinder,means for continuously elevating and depressing one of the sections ofsaid cylinder, fashioning needles detachably connected with thecontinuously operated section, carriages afforded a range of travel inways on the bed-plate,svcrews working in slots in the bed-plate andprovided with spring washers for preventing retrograde movement Yof thecarriages, strippersv connected with the carriages, and means'foractuating the carriages, substantially as and for the purposes setforth.

6l. In a knitting machine, a bed-plate, a sectional needle cylinder,means for continuously elevating and depressing one of the sections ofvsaid cylinder, fashioning needles detachably connected with thecontinuously operated section, carriages afforded a range of travel onthe bed-plate, means for preventing retrograde movement of thecarriages, strippers, resilient connections interposed between thestrippers and carriages, and means for actuating the carriages,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

62. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means forcontinuously elevating and depressing one of the sections of saidcylinder, fashioning needles detachably connected with the continuouslyoperated section, strippers, racks for shifting said strippers, a frameprovided with pawls having teeth for driving the racks backward and for-Award, means for vibrating said frame, and

devices for shifting said pawls to cause the respective teeth thereof tocome into action, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

63. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means forcontinuously elevating and depressing one of the sections of saidcylinder, fashioning needles detachably connected with the continuouslyoperated section, carriages, racks for shifting saidcarriages,strippers,yieldingconnections betweenthe strippers andcarriages, pawls for driving the racks backward and forward, and devicesfor reversing the positions of the pawls, substantially as and for thepurposes set forth.

64. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means forcontinuously' elevating and depressing one of the sections of saidcylinder, fashioning needles detachably connected with the continuouslyoperated section, strippers, racks, pawls adapted to engage said racksand drive said strippers backward and forward, a frame for controllingsaid pawls, and means for intermittently actuating said frame,substantially as and for 59. A knitting machine provided with a sec-4tional needle cylinder, means for reciprocatthe purposes set forth.

65. In a knitting machine, a sectional Aneedle cylinder, means forcontinuously elevating andv depressing one of the sections of saidcylinder, fashioning needles detachably connected with the continuouslyoperated section,

strippers, racks, pawls adapted to engage said racks and drive saidstrippers backward and forward, bars for controlling said pawls, aratchet-wheel provided with projections for reversing the positions ofsaid pawls, and means for intermittently rotating said ratchet-wheel,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

66. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means foractuating the sections of said cylinder, needles detachably connectedwith' 'said sections, strippers, having racks,

IOO

pawls adapted to engage said racks and drive said strippers backward andforward, a frame for controlling said pawls, a ratchet-wheel needles, aring, pawl-and-rat-chet connections interposed between the ring andstrippers, a positivelydriven shaft provided with a tappet-arm and atappet-rod in range of said arm and connected with said ring,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

68. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder, means forelevating and depressing the sections of said cylinder, fashioningneedles, strippers for engaging the fashionin g needles, a ring,pawl-.and-ratchet connections interposed between the ring and strippers,

a positively driven shaft, connections interposed between the shaft andring foi-actuating the latter, and mechanism for intermittentlydisconnecting the shaft and ring, substantially as and for the purposesset forth.

69. In a knitting machine, a positively driven shaft, two sets ofpowerappliances for driving said shaft at diderent rates of speed, acounter-shaft, connections between the positively driven shaft andcounter-shaft for rotating and for oscillating thelatter, asectionalneedle cylinder provided with detachable needles, strippers, mechanisminterposed between the positively driven shaft and sections of thecylinder, a sinker-head operated by the counter-shaft, paWl-and-ratchetconnections operated by the positively driven shaft and adapted' toactuate the strippers, and an intermittently reciprocated ratchet-Wheeland itsconiplemental camsand connections for controlling said powerappliances, sinkerhead, strippers and needle cylinder," substantially asand for the purposes set forth.

70. In a knitting machine, a shaft, two sets of power appliancesrespectivelyV adapted to drive said shaft at high andlow speeds, asectional needle cylinderprovided with detachable fashioning needles, asinker-head and its accessories, strippers for-engaging said mittentlyactuating the shipper, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7l. In a knitting machine, a sectional needle cylinder provided withdetachable fashioning needles, a sinker-head and its accesseries,strippers for engaging said fashioning needles, a high speed powerappliance and dles, a sectional needle cylinder for operatingsaidneedles, a stripper for engaging certain of the needles andautomatic mechanism for throwing one section of the cylinder out ofaction and for controlling` the position of the strippers to effect thewidening and narrowing of the fabric or web, substantially as and forthe purposesset forth.

73. A knitting machine provided with needles, a sectional cylinder foroperating said needles, a sinker-head, strippers for engaging certain ofthe needles and automatic vmechanism for controlling said cylinder,

throwing one of the sections of said cylinder of movement of thesinker-head and controlling the positions of the strippers to eect the'widening and narrowing of thefabric or web, substantially as and` forthe purposes set forth. f

74. A knitting machine provided with needles, a sectional needlecylinder fo'i' operating said needles, a sin-ker-head, strippers for entgaging certain ot" the needles, high and low speed power appliances, andmechanism for automatically bringing the low speed' power appliance intoaction to actuate one section of Athe cylinder 'andi .for reciprocatingthe intoand out of action, reversingthe direction s'inker-head andcontrolli-ng the position of t the strippers, substantiallyas and forthe purposes set forth.

75. In a knitting machine, needles, a sectional needle cylinder,asinker-head, a counter-shaft and connections for operating thesinker-head, a main.` shaft provided with a fast( eccentric and itscomplemental link for cont tinuously operating oneof the sectionsof the.needle cylinder, strippers" for engaging certain of said needles, aitappet bar for'operating said strippers, asleeve loose on the mainshaft and providedwith aneccentric and its complementallink foractuating the'otherof the sections of the needle cylinder, and with asprocket wheel, a second sleeve looseon the l main shaftv and `providedwith a tappet arm andan eccentric, an arm provided with-a rack and loperated by the last mentioned eccentric,

rgo

